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Drama

Evil Does Not Exist (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

Evil Does Not Exist (2024) movie poster

Evil Does Not Exist is a 2024 drama directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, starring Hitoshi Omika as Takumi, Rei Nishikawa and Ryûji Kosaka. It runs 1 hour 46 minutes and earned $3.3 million worldwide. Critics gave it 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes
91%
worldwide gross
$3.3M
Echo Score
77
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Evil Does Not Exist (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 46m (106 min)
Genre
Drama
Original language
Japanese
Studio
Fictive
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Evil Does Not Exist About?

The premise of Evil Does Not Exist without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Takumi and his daughter Hana live a peaceful life in the mountain village of Mizubiki, providing Tokyo with water, wood, and wasabi. Their tranquil existence is threatened when a luxurious glamping resort is planned for the area, potentially disrupting the natural beauty and serenity of their home.

Evil Does Not Exist Themes & Keywords

· 34 tags
  • village
  • japan
  • forest
  • city
  • resident
  • daughter
  • life
  • single father
  • father daughter relationship
  • little girl
  • wood chopping
  • chopping wood
+22 more
  • axe
  • 8 year old girl
  • nature
  • meeting
  • glamping
  • video call
  • restaurant
  • water
  • blood
  • deer
  • ecology
  • long take
  • tree
  • snow
  • pollution
  • water pollution
  • reference to covid 19
  • gunshot
  • strangulation
  • family relationships
  • coming of age drama
  • cigarette smoking
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Cast & crew

Evil Does Not Exist Cast & Characters

Hitoshi Omika leads the cast as Takumi, with Rei Nishikawa as Hana and Ryûji Kosaka as Takahashi. Directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Evil Does Not Exist

· 5 more
From the director

More from Ryûsuke Hamaguchi

More films directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, best-rated first: Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Asako I & II, Drive My Car and Happy Hour.

Full filmography
Ratings

Evil Does Not Exist Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Evil Does Not Exist 91% on Rotten Tomatoes and 83 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 77/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (60).

77 /100

Evil Does Not Exist Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall impression, Evil Does Not Exist excels in crafting an immersive mood even as its deliberate pace divides opinion. Critics and viewers alike praise the film’s meticulous visual compositions and atmospheric tone, but some find the narrative’s open-ended structure and measured pacing to hinder engagement. The film’s fusion of naturalistic detail with mythic undercurrents creates a compelling if occasionally elusive experience. Altogether, this balance of evocative style and interpretive ambiguity leaves a lasting, somber resonance.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of craft and visual design, the film stands out for its striking framing and deliberate camera movement. The direction emphasizes extended takes and careful compositions that highlight the natural environment. Production design feels authentic to rural settings, and editing unfolds at a measured pace. Overall, this visual precision establishes a strong, immersive aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to character depth and emotional resonance, the performances convey subdued nuance more than heightened drama. Acting choices favor quiet introspection, with subtle gestures and minimal dialogue driving emotional moments. Chemistry among the small cast supports a reflective tone, though some viewers note difficulty connecting to a reticent protagonist. Nonetheless, the understated portrayal sustains consistent human interest.

  • Story & Flow 60

    Regarding plot coherence and pacing, the narrative unfolds with a deliberate slowness that some find meditative while others deem it ponderous. The eco-parable structure offers thematic originality, yet the open-ended conclusion can feel oblique. Occasional lulls in momentum contrast with engaging mythic motifs. Ultimately, the story’s subtle design will reward patient viewers more than those seeking clarity.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When considering the sensory experience, the film excels in its auditory and visual cohesion. The score and natural sound design blend seamlessly with ambient forest noises, enriching each scene. A restrained color palette and thoughtful use of light create subtle mood shifts. Overall, the film’s layered sonic and visual elements deliver a deeply immersive atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s evocative imagery and thematic ambiguity invite multiple viewings. Subtle details in framing and environmental motifs emerge more clearly on repeat watches. However, the leisurely pace may challenge some audiences again. Despite this, the lingering questions and nuanced symbolism encourage a deeper appreciation with each subsequent viewing.

Plot

Evil Does Not Exist Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Evil Does Not Exist from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The tranquil expanse of Mizubiki’s winter forest creates a serene atmosphere as the story unfolds. At the heart of this narrative is Takumi, a widowed father navigating life with his spirited eight-year-old daughter, Hana. Their daily routine reflects the calmness of their rural Japanese village, occasionally disrupted by the distant sound of gunfire from deer hunting expeditions.

Full summary

The whole story of Evil Does Not Exist, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

Evil Does Not Exist Box Office

Evil Does Not Exist grossed $3.3 million worldwide. $831,685 came from the US and Canada and $2.4 million (75%) from the rest of the world.

2024 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.3M

US & Canada
$831.7K
International
$2.4M
US & Canada 25% Rest of the world 75%
Videos

Evil Does Not Exist Trailers & Videos

6 videos: 2 trailers and 4 featurettes.

All 6 videos
International Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Trailer Official US Trailer [Subtitled]
  • Featurette Ryûsuke Hamaguchi on Evil Does Not Exist
  • Featurette Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, Hitoshi Omika, and Eiko Ishibashi on Evil Does Not Exist
  • Featurette Ryûsuke Hamaguchi on the Origins and Inspirations of Evil Does Not Exist
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Evil Does Not Exist?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the setting for the opening scenes of the movie?

Details

Evil Does Not Exist Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “Aku wa sonzai shinai” and “Зла не існує”.

Also known as
  • Aku wa sonzai shinai
  • Зла не існує
  • El diablo no existe
  • Ha'Ro'ah Ei'no Kayam
  • Il male non esiste
  • 악은 존재하지 않는다
  • Le Mal n'existe pas
  • El mal no existe
  • הרוע אינו קיים
  • 無邪之境
  • 邪恶不存在
  • ที่นี่ไม่มีปีศาจ
+11 more
  • 邪惡根本不存在
  • Zła nie ma
  • Ondska finns inte
  • Ο Διάβολος Δεν Υπάρχει
  • Зло не существует
  • O Mal Não Existe
  • Blogis (ne)egzistuoja
  • Kötülük Diye Bir Şey Yok
  • El mal no existeix
  • A gonosz nem létezik
  • الشر لا وجود له

Seen Evil Does Not Exist?

FAQ

Evil Does Not Exist FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Evil Does Not Exist, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Evil Does Not Exist?

Evil Does Not Exist runs 1 hour 46 minutes (106 minutes).

When was Evil Does Not Exist released?

Evil Does Not Exist was released on May 3, 2024.

Who directed Evil Does Not Exist?

Evil Does Not Exist was directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi.

More films by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi

Who is in the cast of Evil Does Not Exist?

Evil Does Not Exist stars Hitoshi Omika as Takumi, Rei Nishikawa as Hana and Ryûji Kosaka as Takahashi, among 9 credited actors.

How much did Evil Does Not Exist make at the box office?

Evil Does Not Exist grossed $3.3 million worldwide ($831,685 domestic, $2.4 million international).

How is Evil Does Not Exist rated?

Evil Does Not Exist has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 83 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Evil Does Not Exist have a post-credit scene?

No. Evil Does Not Exist has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Evil Does Not Exist in?

The original language of Evil Does Not Exist is Japanese.

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